Sixers Drafting Through the Years

Phil Jasner wrote an interesting article today about the Sixers' drafting in recent years. While the concept of the article was good and the back story that he provided for each pick was illuminating, I thought there were problems with his evaluation methodology. To evaluate how good an NBA draft pick is, one has to take into account who was available when the team drafted, how happy the team is (in hindsight) with the pick, and where the player would be picked today if the draft were done over. After the jump, I'll give my thoughts.

My general rule of thumb as far as grading is that if a player would be picked in the same slot in a draft do-over, the grade is a B, with adjustments up or down accordingly. Also, the information readily available to me doesn't include undrafted free agents, so I'm not including them in the analysis. In honor of the recently departed Sam Dalembert, let's start with 2001.

Samuel Dalembert (2001, pick #26)

What they got: even his detractors would have to admit that Dalembert is a starting-caliber NBA center who provides above-average rebounding and defense. For the Sixers, he started 491 of 548 games after his rookie season and was an important player on their playoff teams of 08-09.

What they got: the Sixers immediately traded this pick to Golden State for a nothing 2004 2nd-rounder and a 1st-round pick in 2005. They traded the latter as part of the deal to get Kenny Thomas, who was a decent rotation player on the 48-win 02-03 Sixers, got a ridiculous contract in the summer of 2003, was a mediocre starting PF in 03-04 and part of 04-05, and eventually got traded for Chris Webber (trading one bad contract for another). Think of the pick as essentially Kenny Thomas. The first round pick in 2005 (#16) became Joey Graham but could have been Danny Granger.

Who they could have gotten: Prince (#23), Salmons (#26), Boozer (#35), Scola (#56). With the 2005 pick they traded for Thomas: Granger (#17), David Lee (#30), Monta Ellis (#40).

Final grade: for what they did with the pick itself (essentially Welsch for Kenny Thomas), B+. Considering what they could have gotten if they had kept the 2005 pick: C-.

John Salmons (2002 pick #26) [Sixers traded Speedy Claxton]

What they got: with the Sixers, Salmons was a bench player who never really fit in, especially clashing with Iverson. Since he left the Sixers, he's become an effective and sometimes dangerous scorer (55% TS% every year) with three different teams.

What they could have gotten: Boozer (#35), Scola (#56)

Be glad they didn't get: see above

Where he would go in a re-draft: about #8 (see players above). However, the Salmons who played for the Sixers would have been around #20-#25.

Final grade: B. The trade was a wash. Claxton couldn't play with Iverson -- and then it turns out Salmons couldn't either.

What they got: he came into the league as more of a physical slasher, and when he played that way he was a steal at that spot. Then he got hurt, and what he's become is a jump-shooter who rarely draws contact and a poor defender, a good person but strictly a #9-#10 guy at best.

Where he would go in a re-draft: about #30, only because there are a ton of guys in this draft who never played in the NBA.

Final grade: B+

Kyle Korver (2003 pick #51) [traded by Nets to Sixers for cash]

What they got: a great shooter who is subpar in other areas but not horrendously so. He was a competent starter for the Sixers in 04-05 and 05-06 (TS% about 58%), though he got totally shut down by Prince in the '05 playoffs.

What they got: a starter from Day One, Iguodala is arguably a top-30 player in the NBA (he has been by several advanced metrics the past couple years), a top wing defender (has gotten All-Defense votes every year of his career), and one of the better all-around players in the NBA (one of two 17-6-5 players this past year, with LeBron; top 40 in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals)

What they could have gotten: Daniel Gibson (#42), Millsap (#47), Leon Powe (#49). Daniel Gibson was selected with the Sixers' original pick, sent to the Cavs with Lee Nailon for nothing (i.e., the cost of getting rid of Nailon).

Where he would go in a re-draft: late 2nd-rounder

Final grade: D

Thaddeus Young (2007 pick #12)

What they got: a solid player who can score with above-average post moves and fill the lane on fastbreaks

Looking back at this body of work, the Sixers have done pretty well this past decade when actually drafting in the first round. No outright busts (though Jason Smith comes close) and a lot of good picks. Their track record with trades is more spotty. For second-round picks, they've had their share of busts, but it seems that all teams do. And they did pretty well with Korver and Lou picked in those spots. Your thoughts and comments welcome ...